PHoToLinE
Photographer Kevin
cooper has more
than 25 years
experience in Press
and Pr
photography. Kevin
works to a wide
range of clients in
community and
voluntary sector
organisations as well
as the trade union
movement.
For quoTaTions
conTacT
Kevin cooper
E: photoline@supanet.com
T: 028 90777299
M: 07712044751

Pages 22 Learning
disability charity Mencap
have launched their
annual race day at Down
Royal on June 20 to raise
funds

Editorial

VIEW, the online publication
for the community/voluntary
sector in Northern Ireland.

S

ome stories raise there
head in the Press and then
quickly fade away. One
such story was about a young
woman called Eimear Symington who left a restaurant in
Belfast without paying her bill
and
was
sentenced to a month in
prison.
The unusual aspect of this
case was the fact that Ms
Symington admitted the fact
that she was an alcoholic and,
hoped that by asking to go to
jail she would receive
treatment for her condition
while in custody.
The judge told the 26year-old, with an address in
Belfast, her confession to being
an alcoholic “almost makes me
cry”.
Judge Bernadette Kelly

VIEW editor
Brian Pelan
said: “I don't know where to
start, especially with someone
like you – quite clearly bright,
well-educated and with so
much potential.
“You are telling me, and I
have to say that almost makes
me cry, that at the ripe old age
of 26 you are an alcoholic.

“Even at 26 you still have
a whole life ahead of you if you
get the help you need.”
Fionnuala Kennedy, who
works for the Kabosh Theatre
Company, was so appalled at
the story of Eimear that she
asked VIEW could she write an
article about it.
Fionnuala was concerned
that Eimear would not receive
the treatment she needs in
prison.
As part of her research
into this, Fionnuala highlights
the fact that in Northern
Ireland there is no dedicated
women-only facility for female
alcoholics.
VIEW hopes that by
publishing her story on pages
four and five we can start a
debate on the urgent need to
build such a facility.

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 3

Zoe Anderson – Communications Manager for Start360

‘

When I was ten, I appeared on TV on a
show called Roland Rat’s Rat Race

1. What is your position and how
long have you worked there?
I am Communications Manager at Start360
– the new name for Opportunity Youth –
and have been here since April 2013.
2. Your favourite film?
It’s a tie between Apocalypse Now and The
Lost Boys.
3.Your favourite book or author?
My degree was in American Studies at
QUB and I spent a term studying the work
of William Faulkner – he remains one of
my favourite authors to this day. More
recently, I love Barbara Kingsolver and
would recommend all of her books,
particularly The Poisonwood Bible.
4.Five ideal guests for a dinner
party -alive or deceased?
I am a bit of a bird nerd so my first three
places are easily filled by Chris Packham,
Martin Hughes-Games and Michaela
Strachan from Springwatch. Then I’d add in
former F1 driver Mark Webber and former

US president Bill Clinton.
5. Favourite holiday location and
why?
Southern Italy – great weather, amazing
food, incredible scenery. My sister and
her family live there, in a little village in
Calabria.
6. Most embarrassing moment.
I’ve never revealed this publicly but when I
was ten, I appeared on TV on a show called
Roland Rat’s Rat Race. Only those of a
certain generation will remember it.
7. What expression do you use
more than most?
‘I know, I know’ which I regularly say in
reply to the miaows of my four cats... even
though I know that makes me sound like a
crazy cat lady!
8. Who has been your biggest
inspiration to date?
Racing driver and athlete Alex Zanardi. He
lost both his legs in a horrendous accident

’

in 2001 but went on to win races in the
World Touring Car Championship in a
specially adapted car and won two gold
medals and one silver medal in handcycling
at the London 2012 Paralympics.
9. Pet hate?
Earphone leakage, particularly when I’m on
the train – it’s never music I’d choose to
listen to myself and people have no
idea of the damage they’re doing to
their hearing.
10. Favourite TV show?
A hard question. I am torn between
Boardwalk Empire and Homeland.
11. Your ideal job?
I’d like to run my own restaurant/ food
shop/ book shop/ organic fruit and veg
business. I don’t look for much.
12. Tell us a joke?
What did the man say when he came
across three holes in the ground? Well well
well.

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 4

Is jail the answer
for women with
alcohol problems?
In the wake of a judge sending a 26-year-old
to prison, Fionnuala Kennedy says there is
an urgent need for a new female-only facility
to treat those suffering from alcoholism

O

n March 24 this year, 26year-old Eimear Symington
was given a month in prison
for leaving a Belfast
restaurant without paying
her £37.90 bill. Her lawyer advised that
instead of paying the money, she was
seeking imprisonment because she was an
alcoholic and thought it might help her dry
out.
Judge Bernadette Kelly said: “I don't
know where to start, especially with someone like you – quite clearly bright,
well-educated and with so much potential.
You are telling me, and I have to say that
almost makes me cry, that at the ripe old
age of 26 you are an alcoholic. Even at 26
you still have a whole life ahead of you if
you get the help you need.”
What ‘help’ is on offer for Eimear
Symington, a young girl who chooses
prison as her only possible step towards
recovery? There is a common belief that
prison regimes include rigorous addiction
programmes for prisoners abusing drugs
and/or alcohol.
Ash House is Northern Ireland’s only
female prison, located in one of the units
at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders
Centre.
In his 2013 inspection of the women’s
prison, the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice Brendan McGuigan said: “It is wrong to
run a female prison at the margins of an
overwhelmingly male establishment.”
His report demonstrates the effects
of this – not only do the women
experience intimidation from male
prisoners, and are “needlessly strip
searched on arrival and randomly after

visits”, treatment for substance abuse is
“not based on a local analysis of needs”,
and substance misuse services are “worse
for women than male prisoners held at this
site.” While it is wrong to ignore the fact
that prisoners have committed a crime, it

‘Many of the
ex-prisoners
emerge broken
and degraded’
is also wrong to ignore the fact that a
humiliating and substandard service offered
to female prisoners increases the chances
of reoffending and reduces the chances of
recovery. Many former prisoners emerge
broken and degraded.
During my research into addiction
services in Northern Ireland, I spoke to a
friend who was dependent on alcohol.
After admitting this to his GP he was
referred to Addiction NI. He waited
approximately six weeks and was offered a
12-session counselling service.
At his first session, he admitted he
was sofa-surfing and had nowhere to live.
His counsellor immediately put him in
touch with a hostel in Belfast, which he
moved into that same day. His counselling
sessions delved into experiences in his
childhood that may have led to his alcohol
misuse. Following his treatment with
Addiction NI, he states that, although still

drinking, he is no longer dependent on
alcohol to “get him through the day”.
Other services that may be more
well-known are Carlisle House in Belfast
(offering a six-week residential programme) and Cuan Mhaire in Newry
(offering a 12-week residential programme). Access to these services is
through self-referral, referral through GPs
or related services. If you have access to
the internet, access to a phone, access to
your GP/healthcare, you may apply for
these programmes. The waiting lists are up
to 12 weeks, a long time to wait if you’re at
rock bottom. Aftercare is available following both programmes but is limited in
sessions and significantly less intensive than
the resident treatment programmes.
Charlie McGarry is manager of
Rosemount House in Belfast, a facility
providing sheltered and supported
accommodation for men seeking recovery
from alcohol addiction. Rosemount House
holds 20 ensuite rooms and often takes
referrals from the aforementioned
organisations. They run an 18-month to
two-year programme for residents, aged
between 18 and 80. With a dedicated staff
team of 12 supported by volunteers in
various capacities, the men have a
timetable of activities that not only
includes counselling for addiction, but
provides health care, reflexology, personal
development, life skills and more.
The place is set up to be a home from
home for these men, with the staff in place
to serve their needs.
Charlie’s emphasis on the importance
of ensuite rooms reflects the effort to
ensure the men have independence and

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 5

As a society we are in denial or have a lack of understanding of the problems facing women
comfort to aid their recovery. Some staff
members are recovering alcoholics which
Charlie sees as crucial in understanding the
needs of each man. “I’m not an alcoholic, I
have no idea what pain these men are
going through.”
He also recognises that each resident
has different needs and therefore
programmes are tailored for them. Men
are welcome to return to Rosemount
House following their programme, and
many come back for tea, dinner or a chat.
When I bring up the case of Eimear
Symington, Charlie replies “wee Eimear”
He had met Symington on previous
occasions as on his weekends, Charlie
visits “street drinkers”, offering help,
advice, clothing, even a packet of cigarettes.
He believes there needs to be a dedicated
facility for women only and has drawn up a
business plan for one reflecting the ethos
and practise of Rosemount House.
He is quick to say that it won’t be
exactly the same, because he recognises
that women have different needs. Whilst
all rooms will have an ensuite, he wants
two specialised rooms for women with
children, so children can stay over at times
with their mother.
They have two buildings that are
ready to be renovated for this purpose.
As in many cases, addiction can lead to

homelessness so the green light is needed
from the NI Housing Executive.
Rosemount House is ‘specialist
accommodation’. When he approached
them, Charlie was told that there is no
clear evidence of need. “I can go out

‘I can go out
tomorrow and
get 10 to 12
women to fill it’
tomorrow and get 10 to 12 women to fill
that place,” Charlie says. “Why is this not
evidence of need?” Charlie believes it’s the
shame and stigma of it. It is a difficult thing
for a woman to admit, especially if she has
children.
I’m curious as to how this required
evidence of need is measured. When I
searched for similar accommodation, there
is none like Rosemount House. All hostels
appear to be for men and women, or men
only. There are a large number of womenonly hostels for victims of domestic
violence, and rightly so. There is one crisis

hostel for single women sleeping rough.
Charlie touches upon the dangers of a
mixed-sex hostel environment for women
with substance abuse problems.
He stipulates they can be detrimental
to a women’s mental health as well as her
chances of recovery. There is no doubt in
Charlie’s mind that specialist services for
women with addictions are crucial
and urgent.
Can it be that there is no need? Do
we have to reassess how we quantify need?
Or does the need have to be so great, that
a centre is created and then a waiting list
ensues? Through my research it is clear to
me that the need is there and that as a
society we are in denial or have a lack of
understanding of the problems facing our
women.
During a tour of Crumlin Road Gaol
last year, our guide told us that in
researching the history of the prison, she
discovered that in the late 1800s, more
women were jailed for being drunk and
disorderly than men.
She suspected it was because of
society’s view of women at the time –
women were not allowed or indeed
expected to behave in such a manner.
In 2014, I suspect this view remains. I
only wonder what awaits Eimear on her
release.

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 6

Organiser Justin McMinn said it has been an uphill struggle raising funds to allow the footballers, some who
are homeless and have overcome addiction problems, to make the trip to South America

Call to support Northern Ireland
team in the Homeless World Cup
By Una Murphy

A

FOOTBALL team from Northern
Ireland has appealed for help to take
part in the Homeless World Cup in
Chile later this year.
It will be second time the Street
League squad has competed in an
international tournament. Last year the
football team took part in the Homeless
World Cup in Poland.
Organiser Justin McMinn said it has
been an uphill struggle raising funds to
allow the footballers, some who are
homeless and have overcome addiction
problems, to make the trip to South
America. He said the team had learnt a lot
for taking part in the last World Cup in
Poland.
“Since it’s Chile, it’s a lot more
expensive for flights and things like that.
We’ve been visiting different people,

different groups. It’s hard to get an answer.
It’s hard for people to say yes we’ll fund
that. So, we’re at looking at different
funders to see if they could fund one flight
or two flights and a cocktail type funding,
were everyone puts a bit in, hopefully it
can work that way, but it is difficult”, he
said.
“We learnt a lot in Poland especially
with the football, it was a different pitch
over there, it’s four-a-side and just getting
used to the rules, it took us a bit longer.
“We had an amazing experience and
we didn’t really have many problems over
there. So we just hope that Chile will be
the same.
“The guys all said it was the best time
of their life. We know the guys going to
Chile are really going to enjoy it as well.
Just hopefully, it will be as successful as
Poland
“Success will just be to keep the unity

of the team and to make sure we obey all
the rules that they give us.
“Obviously no drink or drugs,
hopefully the guys can keep those rules.
Last year when we went, we were one of
the only teams that didn’t
receive a yellow card from the referee for
bad behaviour, that was pretty successful, I
didn’t think that would happen. Also if we
finish below 13th like we did last year, that
will be a real success.”
• If VIEW readers want to help
the Northern Ireland squad compete in the Homeless World Cup
they should text: NISL14 £1 to
70070 to donate or visit the
nistreetleague page on JustGiving
• Check out our video at
http://www.viewdigital.org/street
-soccer-league/

YOUR VOICE OUR VISION
How can Big Lottery Fund best help
communities and people in need?
Shape our future vision.

JOIN THE
CONVERSATION

Our mission is to bring
real improvements to
communities and the lives
of people most in need.

VIBRANT COMMUNITIES
How can we grow social capital and
help communities to make the most
of their strengths and talents?

Join the conversation
Online:
www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/yourvoice

ADDRESSING DISADVANTAGE Twitter:

We have awarded funds to
many outstanding projects
all over the UK who have
made a fantastic difference.
But we can always do more.

What can we do to support people
living in poverty to achieve a better
quality of life? How do we address
increasing demand for help in
difficult times?

From February to July 2014, we are
inviting people to add their voice to
a UK wide conversation around key
areas of Big Lottery Fundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work.
Your views will help us consider our
role as a funder and help shape our
vision and plans from 2015 to 2021.

Tell us how we can best work with
others to make a difference. How
can we share our information,
learning and resources for the
benefit of others?

Most importantly it will help
us deliver the things we
passionately believe in:

STRONGER SECTOR
How can we best support the
development of a stronger
voluntary, community and social
enterprise sector?

Find out more and keep up to date: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/yourvoice

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 8

Members of UNISON NI’s Community/Voluntary branch at the May Day rally in Derry. The main theme of
the event was to campaign in support of the Housing Executive which is is facing an uncertain future

Week of celebration will
say thanks to volunteers

V

olunteer involving organisations are
invited to order FREE resources to
help them recognise and thank the
volunteers in their community as part of
Volunteers’ Week from June 1 to June 7
During the celebration of the 30th
anniversary of Volunteers’ Week, a range
of activities are planned to highlight the
campaign.
Wendy Osborne, Chief Executive,Volunteer Now, said, ”The message for Volunteers’ Week is ‘Time to say thank you.’
There are currently over a quarter of a
million volunteers in Northern Ireland
who all play a vital role; from volunteer
drivers to sports coaches, from hospital
volunteers to those working in charity
shops.
“Volunteers’ Week gives us the
opportunity to shine the spotlight on these
volunteers and give them the recognition
and thanks they deserve.”
She added: “We hope voluntary and
community groups throughout Northern
Ireland will order the special volunteer
pins, certificates and banners to support
their participation in Volunteers’ Week ”
Volunteer involving organisations can
access these resources by downloading the
order form from www.volunteernow.co.uk

Appeal: Wendy Osborne
or contact: Sandra.Faulkner@volunteernow.co.uk.
Orders must be placed by May 16
2014.

University
event to
discuss press
regulation
PRESS regulation will be the
topic of discussion at a meeting
organised by the Centre for
Media Research and the School
for Media Film and Journalism
at the University of Ulster. The
guest speaker will be Jonathan
Heawood, director of the IMPRESS Project.
The meeting will be held on
May 8 at 5.15pm in the boardroom, Room 82D23, at the
University of Ulster campus,
York Street, Belfast.
IMPRESS, in its own words,
is “Developing plans for press
regulation which is independent
of politicians and press owners,
affordable for small publishers
and websites and accountable
to the public.”
John Horgan, the press
ombudsman for the Republic of
Ireland, who gave evidence to
the Leveson Inquiry about how
press regulation works in
Ireland, will also attend.

Edwards & Co. solicitors advises charities and the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland
on a wide range of legal issues including charity creation, charitable status and
constitutional matters, trading and commercial arrangements, employment law,
finance, fundraising and property law, as well as dealing with the Charity Commission
for Northern Ireland.
Our team offers a full range of legal services including mediation, wills,criminal law,
clinical negligence and personal injury claims, as well as family/matrimonial work.

In a world of increasing change, the Big Lottery Fund is canvassing the public’s views on what their priorities
should be over the coming years

S

tanding still in our ever changing
world is not an option – and Big
Lottery Fund is no different.
Looking back at the last 10 or
even five years, so much has
changed. Did I and others ever think we
would be blogging, using smartphones or
tweeting?
But as we adapt to these changes, we
are acutely aware of the enduring
problems of poverty and disadvantage,
particularly in the context of the upcoming
welfare reforms.
We are aware too of the challenges
we face in delivering our mission of
bringing improvements to the lives of
people and communities most in need.
That is why we are inviting you to share
your views on what our priorities should
be over the coming years.
We are committed to seeking the
opinions of people who are most affected

by the inequalities in wealth, health and
education, and those who have an interest
in tackling the issues that exist within our
society.
We believe we could be doing more
to contribute to and improve the life
chances for those most in need. And
perhaps at times, we are trying to do too
many things at the same time. Is it our role
to help people to change things in their
community through, for example, a small
grant from our Awards for All programme?
Or do we have a more strategic role
in attempting to address structural
inequalities across health, education and
community safety through programmes
like Live & Learn or Safe & Well?
How should we balance immediate
needs against longer term support? Could
we use our systems, skills, expertise and
connections more effectively to bring
others to the table?

For instance, should we be influencing
change by using our role to broker
relationships with government and other
funders? Or should we simply be a funder
who responds to the needs of the
voluntary and community sector? We also
want your opinions on whether our approach to building a strong and vibrant
sector in Northern Ireland has been
successful. How could we improve?
We want to start a conversation
about change and hear as many viewpoints
as possible, so we can be a more effective
funder in the future.Y
Your voices will help us meet
tomorrow’s challenges as we shape our
vision for the period 2015-2021.
You can join the conversation online
at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/yourvoice,
on Twitter at @biglfyourvoice #yourvoice
or email us at
yourvoice@biglotteryfund.org.uk.

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 11

Should charities in Northern Ireland
reveal the salaries of chief executives?
A recent report,
which covered
charities in
England and
Wales, has called
for salaries of
chief executives
to be published
in order to
maintain public
trust.
VIEW would like
to know your
opinion when it
comes to
charities in
Northern
Ireland. What do
you think?

C

harities have been advised, in a recent report by the
NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations),
to publish full details of senior executives pay in order
to maintain public trust.
The report, a product of an inquiry into charity chief
executive pay, suggests that despite legally having to provide an
indication of the number of staff in pay bands over £60,000,
charities need to go further to earn the public's trust.
The inquiry was set up, following last year's media
attention into charity chief executives' pay, to explore
arguments about appropriate levels as well as the relationship
between this and public trust and confidence in the
sector.
Denise Fellows, chief executice of the Honorary
Treasurers Forum, said: “Following the media attention last
year, ensuring best practice on executive pay has been a grey
area for some of our members.
“Charities have a duty to ensure transparency
for the public, donors and beneficiaries, not only for
the levels of pay but also for the thinking behind the
levels of pay by publishing in annual reports and on their
websites.”
Julia Palca, chairman at Macmillan Cancer Support, also
welcomed the report: “While trust in charities is the highest it
has been for the last few years, we welcome this report to help
ensure the sector takes the steps necessary to promote
transparency. We will review these recommendations
in detail.”
Some of the key points were;
• The 161,000 registered charities in England and Wales have a
combined annual income of more than £39b.
• 91% of registered charities have no paid staff and are run by
volunteers; the remaining 9% employ 800,000 people.
.• Two clicks away – to make this information accessible, and
not just within their annual accounts, the inquiry suggests that
charities display this information online, and no more than two
clicks from their homepage.

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 12

The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People Patricia Lewsley, third from left, during
a recent visit to the offices of Solas at the Cromac Regeneration Centre, Ormeau Road/Donegall Pass,
Belfast. Solas is an educational charity which supports children’s additional needs

Junior Ministers
Jennifer McCann,
2nd left, and
Jonathan Bell,
third left, admire
the work of
photographer
Laurence Gibson
at the launch of
the ‘Belonging’
exhibition in
Shankill Library,
Belfast.
Photographed
along with the
ministers are Mr
Gibson who
talked about his
work and Sonia
Banaszczyk of
the Belfast
Migrant Centre.
The exhibition,
features 20
portraits of
individual
migrants

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 13

Comment
Dennis Hamill is the Litigation Partner at
Edwards & Co. solicitors. He provides advice and
representation to the firm’s third sector clients
across a range of contentious issues.

Why it’s vital to protect data

In simple terms, a data
controller must comply with the
eight data protection principles

I

n the modern working environment
organisations obtain a huge amount of
personal information about people with
whom they interact whether they are
employees, customers, service users or
others. We are frequently asked to advise
third sector organisations on what
responsibilities this creates specifically in
the context of Data Protection issues.
The governing piece of legislation in
this area is the Data Protection Act 1998
which came into force on 1 March 2000. It
provides that data protection law will apply
in any situation where a “data controller”
processes “personal data”. It is important
to define those terms.
A “data controller” means a person
who determines the purposes for which
and the manner in which any personal data
is, or is to be, processed. An obvious
example is an employer.
“Personal data” means data which relates to a living individual who can be identified from that data or from that data and
other information held, or likely to come
into the possession of the data controller.
Again, an obvious example would be an
employee. Such a person is known as a
“data subject”.
“Processing” covers almost any use of

personal data whether it is collecting the
data, storing it, or destroying it.
It can be seen from this brief
introduction that the scope of data
protection law is vast.
Assuming that your organisation is a
data controller as defined by the Act what
responsibilities does this create?
In simple terms, a data controller
must comply with the eight data
protection principles as follows:• Personal data shall be processed
fairly and lawfully;
• Personal data shall be obtained
only for specified and lawful purposes, and shall not be further
processed in any manner
incompatible with those purposes;
• Personal data shall be adequate,
relevant and not excessive;
• Personal information shall be
accurate and, where necessary,
kept up to date;
• Personal data shall not be kept
for any longer than is necessary;
• Personal data shall be processed
in accordance with the rights of
data subjects in accordance with
the Act;
• Appropriate technical and

organisational measures shall be
taken against unauthorised or
unlawful processing of
personal data and against
accidental loss or destruction of
personal data;
• Personal data shall not be
transferred to a country outside
the European Economic Area
unless that country ensures an
adequate level of protection for
the rights and freedoms of data
subjects in relation to the
processing of personal data.
There are a number of steps which
organisations can take to ensure
compliance with these principles such as
obtaining the consent of the data subject. It
is vitally important that organisations get
this right as there are potential civil and
criminal liabilities which arise from
breaches of data protection law.
This is a brief overview of a very challenging area of law.
It is vital that all third sector organisations understand their responsibilities and
have appropriate policies and procedures
in place to protect not only the organisation but also those persons whose
personal data the organisations hold.

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 14

Susan adds
another strin
to her bow
art collect

A

rtist and musician Susan Hughes has
chosen to honour some of the
participants in the Northern
Ireland peace process in an
exhibition, titled ‘Quiet Peacemakers’.
In her own words describing why she undertook the project, Susan said: “The IRA
ceasefire was announced on August 31, 1995, the
day before I started
secondary school; I am a child of Northern Irish
peace. Growing up at the top of the Ormeau
Road with
parents of a mixed, cross-border marriage, ecumenism was a given for me and we were
not exposed to the brutality and pain of
the Troubles.
My mother suggested that I continue a series that had begun with a
painting of Fr. Gerry Reynolds (a family
friend) by painting some of the other
individuals who were, and are,
continually committed to working quietly
and steadily in the background to facilitate peace and
reconciliation.
As one person led me to
another by word of mouth, I found myself on a
journey of discovery from the early years of the
Troubles right up to the present – and future –
of peacemaking. The subjects range from
Church leaders such as Fr Alec Reid, Rev. Ken
Newell, Sr. Anna and Sr. Margaret Rose of
Drumalis; to those currently employed fulltime in community relations for
example Chris O’Halloran of Belfast I
nterface Project and Debbie Watters of Alternatives for Restorative Justice.
I can not claim that this collection is a comprehensive representation; these portraits are a
tiny snapshot, an i
mpression of the many ‘unknowns.’
For practical reasons I imposed my own reasonable limit of 34 Belfast-based portraits.
I undertook this venture to pay homage to the
subjects and celebrate them in the best way I know
how: through art.
VIEW is delighted to show a
selection of the paintings from page 15 to
page 19

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 15

ng
with
tion

The late Inez McCormack became active in the Northern Ireland Civil Rights movement
in the late 1960s and went onto become the Regional Secretary of UNISON Northern
Ireland. In 2006, she founded the Participation and Practice of Rights (PPR) organisation

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Roisin McGlone is the chief executive officer of Interaction Belfast, an organisation that develops
both inter-community and inter-agency dialogue and relationship building. Roisin has worked
closely with the police and republican and loyalist ex-combatants

Page 16

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Rob Fairmichael, cyclist, gardener, and bog wood carver, has lived in Belfast since 1975. He has
been engaged in peace journalism since 1974, and currently edits publications for INNATE
(Irish Network for Nonviolent Action Training and Education)

Page 17

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 18

After her husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death in 1991, Pauline Hegney, along with five other widows who had lost their
husbands to violence, and three church leaders, began the organisation Widows Against Violence
Empowered (WAVE)

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Debbie Watters lives and works in North Belfast. She has been involved in the areas of justice
work, peace building, and conflict transformation for the past 20 years, both in the United States
and in Northern Ireland

Page 19

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

The Big Picture
One of the first dogs to cross over the
new Sam Thompson bridge in Belfast.
The bridge, which was named after the
playweight who was best known for his
play Over the Bridge, which exposes
sectarianism, was part funded by the
Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks
programme,
If you would like your community/
voluntary organisation to be selected
for The Big Picture in the next issue of
VIEW, send images, marked ‘Big Picture
entry’ to editorial@viewdigital.org

Page 20

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 21

VIEW, issue 24, 2014

Website: viewdigital.org

Page 22

Looking forward to a day at the races, PR and fashion guru Cathy Martin joins three-year-old Kinley Brown
at Mencap’s Segal House Nursery in Belfast for a playdate to officially launch Mencap’s annual Race Day
that will take place at Down Royal on June 20, 2014, to raise funds for the learning disability charity. Tickets
are £100 per person and tables seat ten. Larger parties can be catered for. For further details about the
event, email fundraising.ni@mencap.org.uk